Filling motion



P 1950 J. RINNE ETAL 2,522,840

FILLING MOTION- Filed Aug. 50, 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN RlNNE BY ROBERT C5.'MALLAED AT TORNE Y Sept. 19, 1950 J. RINNE ET AL 2,522,840

FILLING MOTION Filed Aug. 30, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrox. JOHN RINNE By ROBERT e. MALLARD U my? JFDM ATTORNEY Sept. 19, 1950 Filed Aug. 50, 1947 J. RINNE ET AL FILLING MOTION e4 l7 I4 7 42 4! II 4 1 I WWW '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 m j /W/ Fzv@m INVENTOR.

JOl-IN EIMNE By ROBEET @MALLAED ATTOBNE Y Sept. 19, 1950 J. RINNE ETAL FILLING MOTION '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 50, 1947 INVENTOR. JOHN RINNE BY ROBERT QMALLARD 3 w: on 2.

ATTORNEY P 1950 J. RINNE ET AL 2,522,840

FILLING MOTION Filed Aug. 30, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 5 JOHN RINNE BY ROBERT 6. MALLARD ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 19, 1950 FILLING MOTION John Rinne, Brooklyn, and Robert G. Mallard. Staten Island, N. Y., assignors to The M. W. Kellogg Company, Jersey City, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application August 30, 1947, Serial No. 771,512

18 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in filling motions for looms of the fly shuttle type.

In an automatic loom, when the supply of filling yarn on the bobbin is nearly exhausted, a feeler mechanism operates to detect this exhaustion. The resulting indication causes movement of a feeler controlled slide mechanism and in turn actuates a starting rod by which the operation of the bobbin transfer mechanism is initiated. If the transfer fails to take place for any reason, or if the filling should break, a filling motion is made to operate. This device makes two distinct attempts to replenish the filling by making two transfers through actuations of the starting rod, and in event of consecutive failures, will stop the loom.

The usual filling motion comprises a filling fork detectively cooperating with a grid or grate on the lay, and pivoted on a filling fork slide, slidable along a guide or bed stand secured to the breast beam of the 100m. A filling motion trip is loosely supported on the filling fork slide by a transverse rocking bar and carries a dog designed to engage a lever by which the shipper handle is thrown from its retaining notch for loom shutdowns, and an angular transverse bar latched into one of three transfer control notches in said filling fork slide.

The rotation of a filling cam on the take-up drive shaft of the loom causes a cam follower arm to move a follower hook toward the front of the loom on every alternate pick when the shuttle checks into the box on the left-hand side of the loom. This follower hook is loosely supported by and slides on a bridge in the fork slide, and is designed to engage with a loop tail on the filling fork. Whenever a pick of filling is left in the shed during normal operations of the loom, the filling fork will not enter the grate on the beat-up of the lay, and will be tilted so that it will escape being caught by the follower hook as the latter is moved towards the front of the loom. In the absence of any pick of filling in front of the grate, the filling fork will fail to be tilted, whereupon as the hook moves towards the front of the loom, it will engage the filling fork and draw it.

with the fork slide forward, to initiate a first transfer through actuation of the starting rod. As the filling fork slide is forced forward by the follower hook, the filling motion trip loosely carried thereby is displaced with respect to the slide by a first stop, so that the angular transverse bar of said trip rises out of the first transfer control notch in which normally it is at rest, and falls into a second transfer control notch.

If the first transfer has been successful, the fork trip will be restored to its initial normal position on the fork slide by the hook during its next forward movement. However, if the transfer of fresh filling to the shuttle was not roperly accomplished and the shuttle is again driven into the box on the left-hand side of the loom without leaving behind it a pick of filling, the filling fork will again fail to be disturbed, and will be engaged by the follower hook, the fil ing fork slide under these conditions being forced forwardly for the second time, and again turning the starting rod to effect a second transfer.

As the filling fork slide is moved forwardly the second time, a second stop will engage the trip, and will cause the angu ar transverse bar of said trip to rise out of the second control notch, and fall into the third control notch. This third control notch, besides being further back than the other two control notches, is deeper, so that the dog on the trip will fall in position directly back of the end of the lever serving to shift the shipper handle into loom shut-down position.

If the second attempt to transfer fresh filling to the shuttle fails and the shuttle again enters the left-hand box without leaving the pick of filling in the shed, the filling fork will again engage the cam follower hook, and the fork slide will be brought forwardly for the third time. However, since the fork trip has assumed a position directly back of the end of the lever, it will in this forward movement of the s ide actuate said lever, and thereby move the shipper handle into loom shut-down position.

The trip of the prior art is loosely supported on the slide, and in such a manner that it bounces and jumps unsteadily as it is moved from one control notch position to another, especially at high speeds.

One object of the present invention is to provide a filling motion having a new and improved trip which is steadily supported on the slide and guided for unwavering predetermined movement from one transfer control notch position to another.

Another object is to provide a filling motion having a new and improved filling fork which, although free from guards or counterweights, operates with minimum of overthrow action, even at high speeds, and which is designed to limit the height of the filling against the grate 0r grid during detecting operation of said fork.

A further object is to provide a filling motion having a new and improved cam follower hook, designed for slide movement free from play and at a predetermined pre-set level with respect to the filling fork, so that the level of said hook with respect to said filling fork is not subject to changes in accordance with the uncertain whims of an operator.

A further object is to provide new and improved means by which a filling motion may be set either for fork transfer or for fork knock-off.

Another object is to provide a new and improved loom stop motion operated in conjunction with a filling motion, and designed to effect automatic release of the shipper handle from the filling motion control after said handle has been moved into loom stopping position.

A further object is to provide between the filling motion cam and the follower hook a transmission having a minimum of overthrow action on said hook even at high speeds.

Various other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a section of the left loomside, and shows a filling motion embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary inner side elevation of the left loomside looking outwardly, and shows the filling motion cam and the follower and linkage mechanism associated therewith, and shows also the take-up clutch control employed in connection with the filling motion;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the filling motion cam and follower arrangement shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a part of the take-up clutch control shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective showing a filling fork and. associated part Of the filling motion;

Fig. 6 is a section of the filling fork and associated parts of the filling motion shown during a lay detecting beat in the presence of a filling;

Fig. '7 is a section of the filling fork and associated parts of the fil ing motion shown during a lay detecting beat in the absence of a filling;

Fig. 8 is a section of the pivot mounting for the filling fork;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. '7,

but showing onl the bed stand, the filling motion slide, and the filling follower hook;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective of part of the filling motion;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective of the part of the filling motion shown in Fig. 10, but with portions broken away to indicate the interior structure of said motion;

Fig. 12 is a section of the transfer control trip portion of the filling motion, and shows the control trip in the first transfer control notch of the fil ing slide;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 12, but showing the trip in the second control notch. of the filling slide;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 12, but showing the trip in the third control notch of the filling slide;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the filling motion set for fork transfer, and shows said motion at the start of its operation after' a lay detecting beat has indicated for the first time absence of the filling;

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section of the follower hook and fi ling fork in the position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a top plan View of the filling motion similar to that of Fig. 15, but shows said motion at the end of its first transfer action;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section of the follower hook and filling fork in the position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a top plan view of a part of the filling motion indicated in Fig. 15, but shows said filling motion in preparation for the third trans fer;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the filling motion similar to that of Fig. 19, but shows said filling motion at a subsequent phase when the loom is shut down before third transfer is initiated;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of a part of the fi ling motion, and shows this motion set for fork knock-off without transfer, and in starting posi tion;

Fig. 22 is a top plan view of a part of the filling motion, and shows this motion set as in Fig. 21, but at the instant of loom shut-down;

Fig. 23 is the top plan view of the loom shutdown mechanism of the filling motion, and shows said mechanism just before shut-down is initiated;

Fig. 24 is a top plan view of the loom stop mechanism, but shows it after the shipper handle has been shifted to shut-down position; and

Fig. 25 is a top plan view of the loom stop mechanism, but shows it after shut-down, and after the shipper handle has been released from. filling motion control.

Referring to the drawings, especially to Figs. 1, 2, 5, 10, ll, 15 and 16, the loom comprises a left loomside ill, having a pair of vertical frame webs H and i2, and a lay it movable along the loom.

The filling motion comprises generally a fork grate or grill i l mounted on the left side of the lay l3 and cooperating with a filling fork iii. The filling fork is pivotally mounted, on a filling fork slide E6 in position to seize a cam follower hook il when said filling fork detects the absence of filling, and to cause thereby said slide to move forwardly with said hook. The filling fork slide H5 is guided for slide movement along a bed pate or stand i8 aflixed to the breast beam 2c of the loom. A compression spring l9 (Fig. 11) having a fixed anchorage at one end, and bearing at its other end against the filling fork slide it serves to return said slide rearwardly after a forward etection movement of said slide, as will be more fully described. A rod 25 at said fixed anchorage serves as a guide for the spring it? in its compressive and expansive movements.

A filling motion trip 22 (Figs. 1, 10, 15 and 16) is mounted on the filling fork slide 16 for movement therewith along the bed stand [8, and for movement along said slide into any one of three transfer control positions, as will be more fully described. A transverse angular bar or dog 23 on the trip 22 is moved into an one of three transfer control notches 24, 25 and 26 (Figs. 1, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15) on the fork slide 18, and when in the last control notch 26, actuates a shipper lever arm plunger 21 slidable in a guide block 28 integral or otherwise afiixed to the bed stand I8. The plunger 2! is urged towards inoperative position by a spring and is pivotally secured to a filling motion shipper lever 30. When actuated by the trip dog 23, the plunger 2'. moves a shipper handle 3| into loom shut-down position through a knock-off transmission, which is shown particularly in Figs. 23-25, and which will be more fully described.

A fork transfer arm 32 (Figs. 1, and

removably secured to the filling fork slide I6, is adapted to engage a filling feeler slide 33 when the filling fork l5 detects absence of filling, and to move the filling feeler slide into'position to actuate a starting rod 34 and initiate thereby bobbin transfer.

The filling fork arrangement embodying certain features of the present invention is shown more fully in Figs. 5-9, and comprises the fork grate 14 having a series of upstanding bars 48 spaced to permit the fork tines to pass freely therethrough during a detecting beat, and having integral or otherwise rigid therewith along the rear of said bars a mounting flange l! seated on the rear wall of the lay it, and secured thereto by studs 42. Projecting substantially horizontally and forwardly from the bottom of the grate bars 40 is a series of fork guides 43 in the form of prongs, two of these being shown. The fork guide prongs are spaced to permit the center fork tine 53 to pass therethrough, and are wide enough to permit the outside fork tines 52 to ride close to and along the outside edges thereof. The outer ends 44 of each of the fork guide prongs 43 are desirably pointed to facilitate entry of the fork tines into guide relationship therewith.

The filling fork It; comprises a U-shaped memher 5! bent to define a substantially horizontal extending loop tail 5B, and a pair of depending fork tines 52 serving as the outside elements of the fork, and flanking an intermediate depend-- ing fork tine 53.

The pivotal mounting for the filling fork it comprises a sectional pivot shaft extending between a pair of side bracket arms 58 projecting upwardly and obliquely rearwardly from the rear end of the filling fork slide Hi. The pivot shaft 55 comprises a lower segment 51 having three holes for receiving the offset ends of the fork t nes 52 and 53, and an upper segment 53 seated on said lower segment and clamped against said offset tine ends by means of studs 68. The shaft 55 is supported for pivotal rotation by gudgeons 6| threaded into the bracket arms 56, and extending with rotative fits into bearing sockets 62 defined at the ends of the shaft segment 51.

The filling fork i5 is preferably entirely made from thin wire stock, has its loop tail 50 substantially longer than the conventional fork loop tail, and is free from guards or counterweights usually employed to prevent excessive tilting overthrow of said fork tail when said filling fork detects the presence of a filling. The depending fork tines 52 and 53 are also longer than the conventional fork t nes, and have intermediate sections 64 bent angularly rearwardly of their lower sections 65, so that the filling A, as shown in Fig. 6, will be caught between the grate i l and the lower tine sections 55, and will be prevented from riding upwardly along said grate to any undesirable elevation. The angular intermediate sections 64 of the fork tines 52 and 53 extending through the openings between the grate bars to, as shown in Fig. 6, serve as a limiting stop for the filling A.

With the construction and arrangement of the filling fork described, upon. impact of the fork tines 52, 53 with the filling A across the grate M, the fork tail 59 will be lifted only sufiiciently to escape engagement with the oscillating follower arrangement is free from guards or counter weights usually employed for the purpose of restricting overthrow.

The filling fork slide I6 has on each side thereof a tongue and groove guide engagement "ill with the bed stand l8, and the follower hook ll has on each side thereof a similar tongue and groove guide engagement H with the sides of said slide, so that the elevation of the hook ll with respect to the other parts of the filling motion is fixed and preset, and is not subject to the adjusting whims of an operator.

The follower hook I1 is of comparatively simple construction, and comprises a boss 12 on its upper side serving as a catch for the fork tail 50 when said tail fails to be raised as a result of the absence of a filling during the detecting beat of the lay, and defining at its front end a shoulder 73 adapted to engage the crossbar of the fork tail 50 when said fork tail fails to move out of engagement with said boss.

The follower hook I! is reciprocated as a cross-head along the filling fork slide Hi from a filling motion cam 15 (Figs. 2 and 3), and a transmission between said cam and said hook. This transmission comprises a follower roll 76 riding on the periphery of the filling motion cam 75, and journalled on a bracket Tl fixed to a substantially vertical rod 18 supported for slide movement in a pair of slide bearings 80 fixed to the inner left-hand frame web i 2. The slide rod l8 is loaded by a coil spring 8| to urge the follower roll it against the filling motion cam '55, and at its upper end is pivotally connected to one end of a link 82, the other end being pivotally connected to a substantially horizontal arm 83 of a bell crank 84 pivotally supported at 85. The other bell crank arm 86 or so-called weft-hammer, extends upwardly, and at its upper end projects through an opening 81 (Figs. 2, 10 and 11) in the bed stand l8, and is forked to pivotally receive a pin 88 mounted between two bearing lugs 9E! forming upward extensions of the hook l1.

In the prior art constructions, there is provided a filling cam follower arm which extends substantiall horizontally, and which is of substantial length. with respect to the upstanding arm engaging the follower hook. As a result, inertia forces are set up, which cause substantial overthrow in the slide movement of the follower hook, especially at high speeds. With the arrangement of the present invention, on the other hand, it Should be noted that the substantially horizontal crank arm 83 is about one-half the length of the upright crank arm 86, and that therefore the inertia forces set up in the reciproeating follower hook ll! are such as to avoid or minimize substantially any overthrow of said hook, even at the extremely high speeds which the machine of the present invention is capable of attaining.

The rotation of the filling motion. cam '55 on the cam shaft of the loom causes the cam follower l6 to move the follower hook 17 towards the front of the loom on every alternate pick, that is, every time that the shuttle comes to rest in the box on the left-hand side of the loom. The detecting at high speed operations, and even though the up of the lay immediately following the picking of the shuttle into the left-hand box.

The filling fork slide l6 (Figs. 1, 10, 11 and 15) is of oblong rectangular outline, and has anopening Q5 through which extends a first fixed trip stop 96 rigid with the bed stand I8. The trip stop 36 is adapted to engage the trip 22 in its first forward detecting movement resulting from the absence of filling, and to cause the dog 23 thereon to move from the first transfer control notch 2d into the second control notch 26. The trip stop 55 may comprise a base 9'! (Fig. 11) seated on the bed stand i8, and secured thereto, as for example, by means of screws 93 set in countersunk holes. The base 9'? serves also as a fixed anchorage for the spring is and as a support for the spring guide rod 2!.

Located in the slide opening 95 and extending therealong is the trip 22 shown comprising a cylindrical plun er Hill supported for slide movement in bearing blocks 59! and H32 integral or otherwise rigid with the filling fork slide l6, and extending crosswise thereof, Secured to the trip plunger m9 is the transfer control dog 23. The dog 23 is shown in the form of a bar having a dovetail connection with the trip plunger act, as shown in Figs. 12 and 15, and connected thereto by a screw 89. The trip dog 23 has on its bottom side a lug H13 adapted to ride in and out of the control notches 26, 25 and 25. Outwardly beyond the control notches 24, 25 and 26, the do 23 has a trip finger its on its lower side adapted during the second forward detecting movement of the trip to engage a' second trip stop E65 integral or otherwise affixed to the bed stand it to cause the lug 63 on said clog to be lifted from the second control notch 25 and dropped into the third transfer control notch 25. The second trip stop M35 is a rearward extension of the guide block 28, the top surface thereof flush with and forming a continuation of the top surface of said. guide block, as seen particularly in Fig. J). This is desirable, since during part of the first detecting forward trip of the filling fork slide it and during part of the return trip of said slide, the trip finger Hill rests or rides on the top surfaces f said trip stop i135 and said guide block 28, as will be more fully described.

At its outer end, the trip clog is provided with a head tilt, which is adapted to engage the shipper lever arm plunger 2'! upon a third forward detecting movement of the trip 22, and therebg to initiate shut-down of the loom. At its other inner end, the dog 23 has a projection 56?, which serves as a stop to engage an inclined base surface Hill of the fork slide 56, and thereby to limit overthrow of the dog clockwise substantially beyond the limiting position shown in Fig. 12.

The transfer control notches 2d, 25 and 26 are formed in a wall Mil of the slide it along the left side of the slide opening 95, and are /-shaped with the sides inclined at an angle which is sufficiently small to cause the trip lu N33 to ride along said sides from the first notch 24 to the second notch 25, and from the second notch 25 to the third notch 26 when the trip 22 is actuated by the stop as or the stop I95, as described. The notches 24!, 25 and, 26 are of progressive depth, so that the second notch 25 is lower than the first notch and the third notch 26 is lower than the second notch 25. With the notches of different depth, the trip finger its will be above clear of the second trip stop 565 when the trip lug I83 is in the first control notch 26, as shown in Figs, and 12. Upon forward movement of the trip 22 from the position shown in and 12, the trip plunger 106 engaging the fir st stop 96 will cause the trip to stop while the filling fork slide it continues its forward movement, until the second notch of said slide is below the trip lug I63. During this continued movement of the filling fork slide I6, the trip finger I84 will be kept out of notch 25 by the guide block 28 and the second trip stop 15. Upon return rearward movement of the filling fork slide Hi, the trip 22 will move therewith, and as soon as the guide block 28 and the second trip stop 1515 are cleared by the trip finger 20 1, the trip lug I83 will drop into the second notch 25 to assume the position shown in Fig. i3. When the trip lug I63 is in the second lower notch 25, the trip finger 564 will be directly behind said second trip stop M15, as shown in Fig. 13. When the trip lug I03 is in the second lower notch 25, the trip finger lM will be directly behind said second trip stop I05, as shown in Fig. 13. Upon forward movement of the filling fork slide 16 from the position shown in Fig. 13, the trip finger I04 engaging the second trip stop will cause the trip lug 33 to be moved out of the second notch 25 and to fall into the third lower notch 26, as shown in Fig, 14. In this position of the trip dog 23, the head I66 of the dog will be directly behind the shipper lever arm plunger 2'5, so that upon the next detecting movement of the slide i6, said plunger will be actuated t initiate the shut-down of the loom.

Since the filling motion trip 22 comprises a trip plunger lllll journalled in bearin s I!!! and N32 for slide as well as rotative movement, the trip will be steady and unwavering in its operation, even at high speeds, and accurate filling motion control will be assured.

Each time the filling fork slide 56 moves forwardly as the result of a fork detection indicating absence of filling in front of the grate M, the fork transfer arm 32 engages the filling feeler slide 33, and the latter in turn actuates the starting rod 36, by which the transfer of the bobbin is initiated.

The filling feeler slide 33 serves not only as a part of the filling motion, but also as part of a feeler controlled slide motion for initiating in a loom a replenishment operation by which a nearly exhausted bobbin is automatically replaced by a fresh one. The filling feeler motion which is operated in connection with this filling feeler slide motion, may be of the conventional type in which a feeler tip (not shown) is moved sidewise along the bare portion of a nearly exhausted bobbin to actuate a connecting rod H5 (Fig. l), or may be the type shown in copending application Serial No. 708,638, filed November 8, 1946, now Patent No. 2,445,695.

At one end of the connecting rod H5 is the filling feeler slide mechanism which preferably is of the type shown in copending application Serial No. 706,826, filed October 31, 1946, now Patent No. 2,443,401, although a feeler slide mechanism of the conventional type may be employed. The filling feeler slide mechanism, as shown, comprises the usual starting rod 34 (Figs. 1 and 15) which is ordinarily stationary, and which, upon rotation, initiates the operation of the replenishing mechanism in a manner wellknown in the art. For rotating this starting rod 34, there is rigidly connected thereto a crank arm H6 having at its outer end a knuckle joint connection ill to one end of a short rod N8, the other end being adjustably .secured to the forward end of the filling feeler slide 33.

The filling feeler slide 33 is guided for horizontal movement by a tongue and groove engagement with the bed stand or plate l8, and is maintained in rearward inoperative position '9 shown in Fig. 15 by a spring (not shown) actin on the starting rod 34, and by a stop (not shown) for said rod operating against the force of said spring to limit said slide in said position in a manner well-known in the art.

The filling cam follower arm 86 has a curved branch arm l22 (Fig. 2) extending outwardly and engaging a latch bolt I24 mounted for slide movement in an elongated slot I23 in the filling feeler slide 33. The latch bolt 524 is oscillated in the filling feeler slide 33 idly by the follower arm I22 when the yarn supply on the bobbin is sufficient. When the yarn supply on the bobbin becomes sufficiently exhausted to operate the feeler mechanism (not shown), and thereby to actuate the connecting rod M5, the bolt I22 becomes latched to the filling feeler slide 33, so that said slide is moved forwardly on the next forward movement of the follower arm I22, as fully disclosed in said application Serial No. 706,826. This operation rotates the starting rod 3%, and initiates transfer of a fresh bobbin into the shuttle.

The filling feeler slide 33 is actuated not only by the feeler mechanism as described, to operate the starting rod 34, but is actuated also by the filling motion of the present invention. To that end, the filling feeler slide 33 has near its forward end on its upper side a lug r projection I25 adapted to be engaged by the fork transfer arm 32 as the filling fork slide It moves forwardly in response to a fork detection indicating absence of filling in front of the grate M. This causes forward movement of the filling feeler slide 33, and actuation of the starting rod 5 by which transfer of the bobbin is initiated.

The loom may be set either for fork transfer as shown in Figs. 1, 10, 15 and 19, in which case two attempts at successful transfers are made before the loom is stopped, or set for fork knockoff affording matched pick conditions, as shown in Fig. 21, in which case the loom is shut down without any previous attempts at successful transfer, when the absence of filling is first detected by the filling fork i5.

, For fork transfer setting, the fork transfer arm 32 is removably secured to the trip bearing block I52 by studs I28, as shown in Fig. 19, so that upon each forward movement of the filling fork slide IE5, the starting rod 35 will be actuated by the engagement of said am with the lug I26 on the filling feeler slide 33. At its operating end, the fork transfer arm 32 has a tappet I35 in the form of an adjustable screw adapted to engage the slide lug I28 uponeach forward movement of the filling fork slide 15.

For forkknock-off setting, the fork transfer arm 32 is removed from the trip bearing block I52, and a knock-oif arm I3! is secured to the other trip bearing block I0! by studs I32, as shown in Fig. 21. This knock-off arm has an offset extension 133 adapted to engage the shipper lever arm plunger 27 upon the first forward movement of the filling fork slide I5 when the absence of filling across the fork grate I4 is first detected. ,This operation initiates shutdown of the loom, as will be more fully described. Y i

The shipper lever arm plunger 21 has at one end a screw extension. E32 by which the phase of actuation of the plunger by the knock-off arm can be adjusted,

' Upon actuation of the shipper lever arm plunger 2?, either by the trip dog 23, when the loom is set for fork transfer, or by the fork knockoff arm I3I, when the loom is set for fork knockoff, the shipper handle 3I will be moved from the loom running position shown in Figs. 1 and 23 to the loom shut-down position shown in Figs. 24 and 25.

The transmission between the shipper lever arm plunger 21 and the shipper handle 3| comprises the filling motion shipper lever 30 (Figs. 1, 23, 2e and 25), pivotally secured to the bed stand I8 through a pivot screw I lfi, and having a pivot connection Ml at one end with the forward end of said plunger. The other end of the filling motion shipper lever 35 has pivotally secured thereto by means of a pivot screw I42 a filling motion shipper latch I43 for a filling motion shipper I44 which is pivotally secured to the bed stand l8, and to the shipper lever 30 by the pivot screw hill. The filling motion shipper I44 is urged toward loom running position shown in Fig. 23 by means of a spring I45, and is limited in this position by a stop I46 secured to the bed stand I8.

The latch M3 has a hook #8 which engages a catch itl on the shipper I44 in loom running position of said shipper. The latch M3 is held in the engaged position by a compression spring I49 between said latch and the shipper lever 35.

After the shipper handle 3i is shifted from the loom running position shown in Fig. 23 to the loom shut-down position shown in Fig. 24, it is desirable to release the shipper handle from the control of the filling motion, so that it can be shifted back into loom running position after proper conditions for the running of the loom have been reestablished. For that purpose, the shipper latch I43 has a cam configuration l5i), which when the shipper lever 3B is rotated clockwise upon initiation of loom shut-down, rides across a pin 55] secured to the bed stand I8 as shown in Fig. 24, thereby causing said latch to rotate clockwise and releasing said latch from engagement with the shipper Hit as shown in Fig. 25. This will cause the shipper M4 to return to the position shown in Fig. 25 under the action of the spring I45. In this position of the shipper I i i, the shipper handle 3| is free to be manually returned to the loom operating position shown in Fig. 23.

Upon restarting of the loom, the shipper lever arm plunger 21 returns to inoperative position through the action of the spring 29.

Whenever the filling breaks, even if fresh filling is supplied by the transferring mechanism and the loom continues in motion, there will be at least one shed, and possibly more than one shed in which no filling yarn will be placed. To prevent the formation of a crack or thin place in the cloth, therefore, a mechanism is supplied to let back the take-up gears a slight amount, whenever the transferring mechanism is operated or the loom is stopped by the filling motion. This take-up let-back device releases the take-up clutch to allow for non-operation of the take-up or the'controlled usual let-back of one, two or three picks. The take-up let-back device may be operated in conjunction with a take-up device shown in copending application Serial No. 739,004, filed April 2, 1947, and comprises an upstanding take-up clutch lever rod H55 (Figs. 2 and i) mounted for slide movement in bearings I55, 55? and IE8 secured to the inner frame web I2. The clutch lever rod I55 is pressed upwardly by a spring I59 seated on the bearing I58 and acting against a collar I60 secured to said rod, and has a follower roller I6I engaging a forward end cam extension I62 on the filling fork slide I6.

Forward movement of the fork slide I6 will depress the take-up clutch lever rod I55, and this in turn will disengage the take-up clutch (not shown). ,For that purpose, the take-up clutch lever rod I55 carries a block I63, which engages on its lower side one end of a take-up clutch lever cam I54 pivoted at I65 to the front wall of a gear box extension (not shown), and which is adapted to engage on its upper side in the upper limiting position of said lever rod the slide bearing I 51. The other cam end of the lever cam I64 engages a take-up follower clutch lever I56 secured to a rock shaft I61 serving when turned to disengage the take-up clutch (not shown). Upon the automatic disengagement of the take-up clutch, the tension of the cloth will cause a reverse drive or let-back of the transmission beyond said clutch, without interfering with the rotation of a shaft driving the take-up roll (not shown). The amount of letback may be controlled by a device shown in said copending application Serial No. 739,004.

The take-up clutch lever rod I55 may have a foot pedal I'III by which letback may be effected manually.

Operation The operation of the filling motion, apparent from the foregoing description will now be summarized.

When the loom is set up for fork transfer, it will be in the condition shown in Figs. 1, 10, 11 and 15, with the fork transfer arm 32 secured in operative position to the trip bearing block I02. Immediately following the picking of the shuttle into the left-hand box, the lay I3 moves forwardly for beat-up operation. If there is a filling across the fork grate I4 on the lay It, as the lay moves forwardly during its beat-up movement, the filling fork I5 will be engaged by said filling, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, so that-said fork will be rotated counterclockwise, and the fork tall 50 will be moved upwardly to free the reciprocating follower hook II. The follower hook I! is reciprocated through the operation of the filling cam I5 in such a manner as to cause said hook to move rearwardly during each forward beat-up movement of the lay I3, and to reach its rearmost position shown in Fig. 6, as the fork I 5 engages the filling across the fork grate I4. With the fork tilted in the position shown in Fig. 6, as a result of the presence of a filling across the fork grate I l, the hook follower I'I free from said fork will upon the next forward stroke of said follower, move along the filling fork slide I6 without moving said slide. As a result of this operation, the starting rod 34 controlling the operation of the transferring mechanism is maintained inactive.

Assuming that immediately following the'picking of the shuttle into the left-hand box, there is an absence of filling in the shed as a result either of an improper transfer resulting from the operation of the feeler mechanism, or a breakage in the filling, or for any other reason, the lay I3 upon its next forward beat-up movement, carries the fork grate I4 past the fork tines 52 and 53, s that the fork tail 50 is not raised, but will assume the position shown in Fig. '7, in which said fork tail is caught on to the shoulder I3 of the hook boss 12.. Since the filling fork I is mounted on the filling fork slide I6, this interengagement between the follower hook I1 and the fork tail i2 causes said fork slide to move forwardly as said follower hook I1 is moved forwardly through the operation of the filling motion cam I5.

This first forward movement of the filling fork slide I6 is effected from the position of the mechanism shown in Figs. 15 and 16 to the position shown in Figs. 1'7 and 18. It should be noted that in. the initial position shown in Fig, 15, the lug I03 of the trip dog 23 is in the first transfer control notch 24, as shown in Figs. 10, 12 and 15. As the filling fork slide I6 moves forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 17, the trip plunger I00 engages the first trip stop 96. This forces the trip plunger I00 axially rearwardly in the bearings II and I02 in relation to the forwardly moving fork slide I6, and. at the same time causes the lug I03 on the trip dog 23 to move out of the first control notch 24 of said slide and over the second control notch 25. During return I movement of the filling fork slide I6, after the trip finger I04 clears the trip stop I05, the trip lug I03 drops into the second control notch 25 and the trip finger I04 assumes a position behind the second trip stop I05, as shown in Figs. 13 and 17.

As the filling fork slide I6 moves forwardly towards the position shown in Fig. 17, the fork transfer arm 32 engages the lug or projection I26 on the filling feeler slide 33, and moves said slide forwardly to rotate the starting rod 34. This causes the rotation of the starting rod, and thereby initiates the replacement of the bobbin by a fresh one.

As the follower hook I1 moves rearwardly through the action of the filling motion cam I5, the spring I9 returns the filling fork slide I0 rearwardly, until said slide reaches the limiting position shown in Fig. 15, in engagement with the stop 96. It is seen, therefore, that the stop 96 serves not only to move the trip 22 relative to the filling fork slide I6 during the first detecting trip of said slide, but also as a stop to limit the inactive position of said slide.

If the first transfer achieved by the filling motion is successful, on the next picking movement of the shuttle towards the left-hand shuttle box, the filling will be laid across the fork grate I4. Upon the next beat-up movement of the lay, the filling will engage the filling fork I5 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and cause said fork to be tilted out of releasing engagement with the follower hook I'I. With the hook so released, the filling fork slide I6 remains stationary during the forward movement of the follower hook I 1, and the upper end of the cam follower crank arm 86 (Fig. 2) will therefore engage the rear end of the trip plunger I00, and move said plunger forwardly, until the trip dog 23 moves back into its original position in the first control notch 24, shown in Figs. 12 and 15.

If the first transfer in response to the action of the filling motion has not been successful, the follower hook I! will be engaged by the fork tail 50 the second time, thereby causing the filling fork slide I6 to make a second forward trip. During this second forward trip of the filling fork slide I6; the fork transfer arm 32 again engages the lug or extension I26 of the filling feeler slide 33, and again actuates the starting rod 34 for a second transfer. At the same time, the trip finger I04, which in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 17, is behind the second trip stop I05, engages said second trip stop, thereby causing the trip plunger I00 to be moved one step rearwardly with respect to the forwardly moving fork slide I6.

During this relative step movement of the trip plunger, the lug I03 on the trip dog 23 is shifted out of the second control notch 25 shown in Fig. 13, and is dropped into the third and deeper control notch 26, shown in Figs. 14 and 19. In this new position of the filling motion trip 22, the head I06 of the trip dog 23 will be directly behind the shipper lever arm plunger 21, in position to initiate shut-down, if the second transfer is unsuccessful.

If the second transfer is successful, then upon the next beat-up movement of the lay l3, the filling motion trip 22 will be restored to its original position shown in Fig. 15 in a manner already indicated in connection with the effect of a successful first transfer.

However, if the second transfer is not successful, then upon the next detector beat-up movement of the lay I3, the absence of the filling across the fork grate 4 will again cause the follower hook H to be locked to the filling fork slide l6, and thereby cause said slide again to move forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 19 to the position shown in Fig. 20. During this forward movement of the filling fork slide IS, the head I06 of the trip dog 23 will engage the shipper lever arm plunger 21, and thereby move the filling motion shipper lever 30 from the position shown in Fig. 23 to the position shown in Fig. 24, This operation will cause the shipper handle 3| to move from loom running position to loom stopping position. At the same time, the filling motion shipper latch I43 will be cammed by the stop out of latched engagement with the filling motion shipper I44, so that said shipper will be returned into the position shown in Fig. 25, and away from the shipper handle 3|. The shipper handle 3| will therefore be set for restarting of the loom.

When the'loom is restarted by the movement of the shipper handle 3| from the position shown in Fig. 25 to the position shown in Fig. 23, the follower hook Il moves rearwardly from shutdown position shown in Fig. 20 through the operation of the filling cam l5, and carries the filling fork slide it rearwardly therewith. If the filling is successfully laid across the fork grate |4 during the next picking movement of the shuttle towards the left-hand shuttle box, then the filling motion trip 22 will be restored into proper inactive position on the filling fork slide it by the engagement of the upper end of the cam follower crank arm 86 with the rear end of the trip plunger Hi6 during the forward stroke of said arm end. During this operation, the trip lug |03 will be moved forwardly from the third notch 26 to the first notch 2t.

During each forward movement of the filling fork slide it resulting from a detection of the absence of a filling across the fork grate M, the take-up clutch lever roll l55, shown in Figs. 2 and i, will be depressed, thereby releasing the take-up clutch, and effecting let-back in the takeup device in the manner already described.

While the invention. has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment,

it is to be understood thatit is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and renotches spaced therealong, and a filling motion trip supported in said bearing for slide movement along said fork slide and having a dog adapted to be moved from one notch to another as said trip is moved step by step along said fork slide by the slide movements of said fork slide resulting from the detection of the absence of filling.

2. In a loom fillin motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slide carrying a bearing with its axis extending along said fork slide, and having a series of transfer control notches of varying depths spaced along said fork slide, and

a filling motion trip having a section journalled in said bearing for rotational rocking movement therein and for slidable movement along said fork slide, and having a dog transverse to said journalled section adapted to be moved from one notch to another as said trip is moved step by step along said fork slide by the slide movements of said fork slide resulting from the detection of the absence of filling.

3. In a loom fillin motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slide carrying a hearing with its axis extending along said fork slide and having a series of transfer control notches of varying depths spaced along said fork slide, a filling motion trip having a cylindrical plunger journalled in said bearing for rotational rocking movement therein and for slidable movement along said fork slide and having a dog extending transversely of said plunger and into one of said notches, means for moving said fork slide upon detection of the absence of filling, and means for pushing said plunger along said bearing as said fork slide is moved upon detection, to cause said dog to move from one notch to the next successive notch.

4. In a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slidecarrying a pair of bearing blocks spaced therealong and having a series of transfer control notches of varying depths spaced along one side thereof, a filling motion trip having a cylindrical plunger journalled in said bearings for rotational rocking movement therein and for slidable movement along said fork slide and having a dog extending transversely of said plunger and into one of said notches, means for moving said fork slide upon detection of the absence of filling, and fixed means in the path of movement of one end of said plunger as said fork slide makes one of its ltIlpS resulting from the detection of the absence of filling for pushing said plunger along said hearing blocks, whereby said dog is moved from one notch to the next successive notch.

5. In a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slide having a series of transfer control notches, a filling motion trip supported on said fork slide for movement therewith and also relative thereto, and movable from one notch to another as said trip is moved step by step relative to said fork slide, means for moving said fork slide in one direction from an inoperative position upon deteetion of the absence of filling, spring means for returning said fork slide in an opposite direction towards said inoperative position, and a fixed stop for limiting the return spring movement of said fork slide towards said inoperative position and disposed in the path of movement of said trip when travelling with said fork slide in said one direction for "pushing said trip from one notch to the next successive notch relative to said fork slide.

6. In a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a bed stand, a filling fork slide guided i" slide movement along said bed stand and having a series of transfer control notches spaced therealong, said fork slide having an opening extending therealong, a filling motion trip supported on said fork slide for movement therewith and also relative thereto along said fork slide and movable from one notch to another as said trip is moved step by step relative to said fork slide therealong, means for moving said fork slide in one direction from an inoperative position upon detection of the absence of filling, spring means for returning said fork slide in an opposite direction towards said inoperative position, and a stop fixed to said bed stand and extending through said opening for limiting the return spring movement of said fork slide towards said inoperative position and disposed in the path of movement of said trip when travelling with said fork slide in said one direction 'for pushing said trip from one notch to the next successive notch relative to said fork slide.

7. in a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slide carrying a bearing block and having a series of transfer control notches spaced therealong, a filling motion trip supported in said bearing block for slide movement along said fork slide and engaging any one of said notches in accordance with the position of said trip relative to said fork slide, and a fork transfer arm secured to said bearing block for actuating a transfer starting member upon movement of said fork slide resulting from the detection of the absence of filling.

8. In a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slide carrying a pair of blocks spaced therealong, a filling motion trip supported on said fork slide for movement therewith and for movement relative thereto, a fork transfer arm, means for removably mounting said fork transfer arm on one of said blocks when the loom is set for fork transfer, means operable when said fork slide is moved as the result of the detection of the absence of filling and when said fork transfer arm is mounted on said one block for effecting transfer, a forked knock-off ar means [or removably mounting said fork knock-off arm on the other block when the loom is set for fork knock-off without prior transfer, and means operable when said fork slide is moved as the result of the detection of the absence of filling and when said fork knock-off arm is mounted on said other block for effecting shutdown of the loom.

9. In a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a filling fork slide carrying -a pair of bearing clocks spaced therealong and having a series of transfer control notches spaced therealong, a filling motion trip supported in said bearing blocks for slide movement along said fork slide and engaging one of said notches in accordance with the position of said trip relative to said fork slide, a fork transfer arm, means for removably mounting said fork transfer arm on one of said blocks when the loom is set for fork transfer, means operable upon detecting movement of said fork slide when said fork transfer arm is mounted on said one block for effecting transfer, a fork knock-off arm, means for removably mounting said fork knock-off arm on the other block when the loom is set for fork knock-off without prior transfer, and means operable upon detecting movement of said fork slide when said fork knock-off arm is mounted on said other block for eifecting shutdown of the loom.

10. In a loom filling motion, th combination comprising a filling fork slide carrying a bearing block and having a series of transfer control notches spaced therealong, a filling motion trip supported in said bearing block for slide movement along said fork slide and engaging any one of said notches in accordance with the position of said trip relative to said fork slide, a filling feeler slide, a starting member for initiating a transfer operation, a connection between said filling feeler slide and said starting member for actuating said starting member upon movement of said filling feeler slide, and a fork transfer arm secured to said bearing block and adapted to engage said filling feeler slide and move said latter slide for actuation of said starting member upon detecting movement of said fork slide.

11. In a loom filling motion, the combination comprising a fill 'lg fork slide carrying a pair of blocks spaced therealong, a filling motion trip supported on said fork slide for movement therewith and for movement relative thereto, a filling feeler slide, a starting member for initiating a transfer operation, a connection between said filling feeler slide and said starting member for actuating said starting member upon movement of said filling feeler slide, a shipper lever arm plunger adapted upon actuation to effect loom shut-down, a fork transfer arm, means for removably mounting said fork transfer arm on one of said blocks when the loom is set for fork transfer, said ftransfer arm being adapted upon detecting movement of said fork slide to engage said filling feeler slide and move it for actuation of said starting member, a knock-off arm, and means for removably mounting said knock-off arm on the other block when the loom is set for fork knock-off wi' ut prior transfer, said knockofi arm being adapted upon a detecting movement of said fork slide to engage said shipper lever arm plunger and thereby actuate it into loom shutdown position.

12. In a filling motion, a filling fork slide, and a cam follower fork hook having a tongue and groove connection with said slide to guide said hook through a fixed reciprocating course along said slide.

13. In a filling motion, a fixed bed Stand, a filling fork siide having at each side a tongue and groove connection with said stand, and a cam follower fork hook having at each side a tongue and groove connection with said slide to guide said hook through a fixed reciprocating course along said slide.

14. In a loom, the combination of a filling feeler slide, a feeler motion for moving said slide to initiate transfer upon detection of the exhaustion of filling yarn on a bobbin, and a filling motion for moving said slide to initiate transfer upon detection of the absence of filling yarn in a shed.

15. In a loom, the combination of a starting member for initiating a transfer operation, a filling feeler slide. a connection between said slide and said starting member for actuating said starting member upon movement of said slide, a latch bolt mounted in said slide for slide movement with respect thereto, a cam follower arm connected to said latch bolt and adapted normally to oscillate said latch bolt idly in said slide in time sequence with an operating part of the loom, means for latching said bolt to said slide upon reception of a feeler detecting impulse to move said slide with said cam follower arm and thereby actuate said starting member. and a fill- 17 ing motion for actuating said slide upon detection of the absence of filling yarn in a shed.

16. In a loom, the combination of a starting member for initiating a transfer operation, a filling feeler slide, a connection between said slide and said starting member for actuating said starting member upon movement of said slide, a latch bolt mounted in said slide for slide movement with respect thereto, a cam follower arm connected to said latch bolt and adapted normally to oscillate said latch bolt idly in said slide in time sequence with an operating part of the loom, means for latching said bolt to said slide upon reception of a feeler detecting impulse to move said slide with said cam follower arm and thereby actuate said starting member, and a filling motion having a connection with said slide to move said slide upon the detection of the absence of filling yarn in a shed and thereby actuate said starting member.

17. In a loom, a filling motion comprising a filling fork slide having a cam extension, and a take-up let-back device comprising an upstanding clutch rod mounted for slide movement and spring-pressed upwardly, a follower roller mounted on the upper end of said rod and engaging said slide cam extension, said rod being adapted to be depressed by said slide cam extension every time said filling fork slide is moved as the result of the detection of the absence of filling by the filling fork of the filling motion, and means in response to the depression of said rod to render the take-up mechanism inoperative and to permit let-back of said take-up mechanism.

18. In a loom, a filling feeler slide, a latch bolt in said slide, a filling motion follower hook, a crank having an upstanding arm pivotally secured to said hook, a filling motion cam for oscillating said crank, and an offset extension arm on said crank arm pivotally connected to said latch bolt to oscillate said latch bolt.

JOHN RINNE. ROBERT G. MALLARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 513,928 I-Iinchliffe Jan. 30, 1894 853,199 Draper May 7, 1907 1,079,296 Jackson Nov. 18, 1913 1,100,660 Jackson June 16, 1914 1,277,357 Baker Sept. 3, 1918 1,590,564 Davis June 29, 1926 1,661,337 Northrop Mar. 6, 1928 1,795,841 Davis Mar. 10, 1931 2,009,864 Tuten July 30, 1935 2,009,893 Lindsjo July 30, 1935 22,427,725 Hoeber Sept. 23. 1947 2,443,401 Rinne et al June 15, 1948 

